Chapter 3 I Don't Want Safe Anymore

Her breath trembled beneath the blindfold.

The silence was thick. Only the low hum of jazz floated through the room. Slow. Sultry. Dangerous.

She couldn't see him. But she felt him.

Felt his stare like a heat pressing against her skin.

Then,

Click.

That sound again. The camera.

Her thighs squeezed together.

"Still," he murmured. "If you flinch, I'll take another."

Eden gripped the arms of the chair.

Her dress was already pushed up. Her breaths came fast and shallow, like she couldn't get enough air. She could smell him, dark cologne, leather, and something raw beneath it that made her head swim.

His footsteps circled her.

"I like you like this," he said. "Blind. Exposed. Obedient."

"Cassian," she whispered.

His fingers skimmed her throat. "Say it again."

"Cassian."

"Louder."

"Cassian...!"

A slap to the inside of her thigh.

Sharp. Just enough to sting.

"I didn't tell you to speak."

Her body flinched. Her breath caught.

She hated how fast her body responded. How wet she already was. How badly she wanted him to forget rules and just fuck her senseless.

But that wasn't who he was.

He didn't fuck. He devoured.

He made art out of surrender.

Cassian moved again.

A length of silk rope wrapped tight around her wrists, binding them to the chair's back, smooth, seductive, and just strong enough to make her shiver. Not too rough. Not too soft.

Her legs were next. Ankles parted. Wrapped to the chair legs.

Exposed. Bound. Blind.

"Perfect," he whispered.

She shivered.

He brushed his mouth against her ear. "You know what you look like right now?"

She didn't respond.

He chuckled. "A fantasy no one deserves but me."

Click.

He took another photo.

She whimpered.

"Every man will want to see you like this," he whispered. "But only I get to."

His mouth trailed down her neck. His tongue traced her collarbone. He stopped just above her nipple.

"I should punish you," he said. "For letting my father speak to you first."

Her stomach clenched. "I didn't know he.."

His teeth grazed her breast.

She gasped.

"No excuses, Eden. You're mine now. That means no one touches what belongs to me."

"Even your own father?"

He growled.

His hands slid between her thighs. Slow. Purposeful. His fingers dragged through the wet heat he'd created.

"Especially him."

She nearly cried out when he pushed two fingers inside her.

Her spine arched against the chair, breath catching.

His other hand gripped her throat, not harsh, just firm enough to own the moment.

"You're drenched," he murmured, voice thick with heat. "You like being watched, don't you?"

"No," she lied.

He laughed darkly.

Click.

Another photo.

He fucked her with his fingers until her thighs trembled. But just before she could cum, he stopped.

She moaned in frustration. "Please.."

"Not yet."

Cassian walked away.

She could hear him move, something metallic opening, then closing. A drawer? A case?

Then silence.

Then..

A buzz.

Her lips parted.

He brought it to her inner thigh. Just a tease.

The vibrator was small. Silent. Wicked.

"Stay still," he warned.

He pressed it against her clit.

She choked out a breath.

Her head fell back, blindfold tight, wrists straining.

"Louder," he said.

She tried to resist.

But it was too much. Too fast. Too overwhelming.

She cried out.

He turned the vibration higher.

"Good girl," he whispered. "Cum for me."

She exploded.

Back arching. Hips bucking. Crying out like she didn't care who heard.

And through it,

Click.

He took another photo.

He left the toy in place until she collapsed, trembling.

Then, he slid it away.

There was silence again.

Her heart thundered.

She barely noticed the moment he unfastened the ropes. When he lifted her into his arms like she weighed nothing.

He carried her down a hall, into a room that smelled like night air and cedar.

He laid her on silk sheets.

Then pulled the blindfold off.

She blinked.

Cassian stood over her, half-shadowed by moonlight from the tall window.

His chest rose and fell with control he clearly didn't have.

"I'm not finished," he said.

She opened her legs without a word.

And finally, finally, he climbed on top of her.

His cock slid in with no resistance. Her gasp was his reward.

He didn't start slow.

He thrust deep. Hard. Possessive.

His hands tangled in her hair. His mouth crushed hers.

They didn't kiss, they consumed each other.

It was more than sex. It was punishment and confession and craving all wrapped into something brutal and perfect.

And when he cummed, it was her name he breathed like it was the only truth he had left.

When she cummed again, it was with a sob against his throat.

They collapsed together.

But he didn't move.

He stayed inside her. Forehead against hers. Breathing hard.

"I want to ruin you," he whispered.

"You already did."

He pulled out slowly. She winced. He kissed her shoulder.

"I want you to understand something."

"What?"

"This... us... it doesn't end in love songs."

She swallowed. "Then how does it end?"

He looked her in the eyes.

"When I finally let you go... you won't recognize yourself."

The Next Morning

She woke up to the smell of coffee.

Cassian was already dressed. Dark shirt. Darker eyes.

He handed her a cup.

"Drink," he said.

She sipped. He watched her like he was memorizing her.

"You okay?" he asked.

"No." She smiled faintly. "But I think I like it."

His lips curved slightly. "I like you like this. Wrecked. Open."

She pulled the sheet around her.

"Do you do this with every woman?"

His face shifted. Shadowed. Closed.

"I don't do relationships."

"I didn't ask for one."

"I don't do second chances either."

She set the coffee down. "Is that what this is? A warning?"

"It's a line," he said. "And I don't cross lines."

She got up.

"Naked women in your bed don't usually get a shower?" she asked.

He smirked. "You can shower. But don't leave."

"Why?"

"I'm not done with you."

She stepped into the bathroom. Closed the door. Stared at herself in the mirror.

Bruised lips. Red marks on her thighs. Bite on her breast.

She didn't look broken.

She looked reborn.

There was a knock on the door.

She cracked it open.

Cassian handed her a small box.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

She did.

Inside was a sleek black collar.

Leather. Minimal. Elegant.

No tags. Just a small silver clasp.

Her breath hitched.

"You're giving me a collar?"

"I'm giving you a choice."

He looked at her. "You want safe, Eden? Put on your clothes. Walk out. I'll never text again."

She looked down at the collar.

"And if I don't?"

His jaw tightened.

"Then you belong to me. Fully."

She said nothing.

But her fingers lifted the collar from the box.

She stared at it for a long time.

Then slowly, very slowly, wrapped it around her neck.

The click of the clasp echoed in the room.

Cassian smiled.

But his eyes.., his eyes turned dark.

"Good girl."

He reached out. Traced the collar with one finger.

"You just gave me permission," he whispered. "To destroy everything you thought you knew about yourself."

She leaned in.

"Then do it."